Name: The Marlow Murder Club
Rating: 3.526315789473684 (38 reviews)
ISBN: 9780008238247

Robert Thorogood

The first in a stunning new series introducing the Marlow Murder Club! 'A hugely enjoyable murder mystery written with wonderful verve, humour and compassion. Utterly delightful' Robert Webb 'I love Robert Thorogood's writing' Peter James From the creator of the BBC One hit TV series, Death in Paradise

The Marlow Murder Club

The first in a stunning new series introducing the Marlow Murder Club! ‘A hugely enjoyable murder mystery written with wonderful verve, humour and compassion. Utterly delightful’ Robert Webb ‘I love Robert Thorogood’s writing’ Peter James From the creator of the BBC One hit TV series, Death in Paradise

Zoe R

Yash

*Another "old woman solves the mystery" story - with an ok plot but underwhelming characters*

Seventy-seven-year-old Judith Potts is happy with her solitary life ignoring the world around her and writing crossword puzzles. But when she witnesses her neighbor’s murder, she can’t resist trying to solve the case herself. She soon finds herself stuck with two quirky sidekicks who dub themselves the Marlow Murder Club.

The mystery was good although nothing extraordinary. It is your typical busybody-solves-the-murder story. I liked the case, but never cared about the characters. None of the characters felt real enough. Judith was interesting, but the other characters were so over-the-top quirky that it was obnoxious. And they had no believable character development.

One annoying aspect was that the Judith’s secrets were teased for far too long. When you built things up for that long and with that much frequency, they always end up being anticlimactic. My reaction was definitely, “Oh, is that all? Well, at least I don’t have to read anymore annoyingly vague, ominous hints!” Thorogood also used the dreaded, “She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding,” which is phrase that should be retired from all writers’ vocabulary. It seems like that is the only phrase most people know to indicate tension – particularly for female characters. And I’d say that speaks well to the awkwardness of a younger man writing from the perspective of older women.

I’d say this is good for people who loved 

. It’s a very similar premise, and the writing has parallels as well. Not to mention the similar titles. But neither series blew my mind. So 

 is another one for the list of “Ok reads, but not worth continuing the series.”

Characters and Character Development: 3 Stars

Colleen

3 Stars

*Another "old woman solves the mystery" story - with an ok plot but underwhelming characters*


Seventy-seven-year-old Judith Potts is happy with her solitary life ignoring the world around her and writing crossword puzzles. But when she witnesses her neighbor’s murder, she can’t resist trying to solve the case herself. She soon finds herself stuck with two quirky sidekicks who dub themselves the Marlow Murder Club.

The mystery was good although nothing extraordinary. It is your typical busybody-solves-the-murder story. I liked the case, but never cared about the characters. None of the characters felt real enough. Judith was interesting, but the other characters were so over-the-top quirky that it was obnoxious. And they had no believable character development.



“The Church of England was the perfect metaphor for the country as a whole, she felt: pleasing to the eye, staunchly old-fashioned, and waning very much in popularity.”


One annoying aspect was that the Judith’s secrets were teased for far too long. When you built things up for that long and with that much frequency, they always end up being anticlimactic. My reaction was definitely, “Oh, is that all? Well, at least I don’t have to read anymore annoyingly vague, ominous hints!” Thorogood also used the dreaded, “She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding,” which is phrase that should be retired from all writers’ vocabulary. It seems like that is the only phrase most people know to indicate tension – particularly for female characters. And I’d say that speaks well to the awkwardness of a younger man writing from the perspective of older women.



“she couldn’t help noticing everything about her existence seemed to be defined by someone who wasn’t her.”


I’d say this is good for people who loved The Thursday Murder Club. It’s a very similar premise, and the writing has parallels as well. Not to mention the similar titles. But neither series blew my mind. So The Marlow Murder Club is another one for the list of “Ok reads, but not worth continuing the series.”


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 3 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 3 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 4 Stars
Level of Captivation: 3 Stars
Originality: 3 Stars

Petaco

In a weird plot twist, the killer actually listens to a lengthy monologue....

Allison

Cute. Reminded me of the Thursday Murder Club series with more of a Nancy Drew vibe.

Cerys

Really good English village murder mystery. I love how realistic the characters are but also how eccentric they can be. Judith is an absolute pleasure to read her character is impeccable. I'm not usually a murder mystery fan but when I found out that the author was the create of BBCs death in paradise every reason why I loved it made sense. Can't wait for the second novel.

hotdamhistorian

Harriet Macrae

Rebecca Harwood

Judith is 77 years old and blissfully happy. She lives on her own in a faded mansion just outside Marlow, there's no man in her life to tell her what to do or how much whisky to drink. One evening, while out swimming in the Thames, Judith witnesses a brutal murder. The local police don't believe her story, so she decides to investigate for herself.

The Marlow Murder Club

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